When Mary Calkins’ first try for Miss Georgia Teen USA brought her second runner-up, she took a year to refine her pageant skills, and in November, the 15 year-old homeschooler took home the title in McDonough, Ga.

“I didn’t feel disappointed. I think it was a good thing,” she said about her first attempt. “I wasn’t ready to be a good title holder. I needed to work on building up my community service and become better at interview and public speaking.”

During the three day pageant, Calkins competed in swimsuit, evening gown and interview categories.

All Columbia County elementary and middle schools completed their annual school spelling bees.

Charlie Li, 11, who was last year’s Columbia County spelling champ from Stevens Creek Elementary, will be trying to defend his title again. This year, Charlie will compete as the representative from Stallings Island Middle School.

Last year, Charlie won the regional bee and advanced to the National Spelling Bee held in May in Washington, D.C., where he missed the cut to make it into the semifinal round.

Soldiers with Fort Gordon’s Warriors in Transition Battalion donated some toys to the city of Harlem to be distributed to families for Christmas.

First Sgt. George Graham said a toy drive was held in the installation in the fall to benefit the base’s Christmas House. There were some toys leftover and Graham said he wanted to support families in the city.

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) is offering Mini Grants to more than 100 area educators as part of the SRNS “Innovative Teaching Mini Grants Program.”

All area middle and elementary educators are eligible to apply for grants of $500, $750 or $1,000.

An independent selection committee will review the grant proposals and select projects that enhances elementary and middle school science, mathematics and technology programs directly impacting students in the classroom.

The group behind an effort to establish Columbia County’s first charter school is moving ahead on plans to purchase property and prepare for the construction of a school next year.

Todd Shafer, a Martinez Elementary School teacher and founding member of Columbia County School for the Arts, said he hopes the group will be able to make a public announcement of the future site for the school by Feb. 1.

“We will be building a new facility,” Shafer said, explaining that the site will be centrally located to allow for the proposed school’s county-wide attendance zone.